1/17/2008

Variety is announcing that the DGA has reached a deal with the AMPTP. We at UH haven't yet gotten a copy of this deal yet, but as soon as we do, we'll be bringing you any information we have on what the terms are.

8 comments:

The DGA deal amps up the pressure from all sides on the leadership of the Writers Guild of America...

Well, I certainly disagree with that statement. If anything, the pressure is on the AMPTP to return to the negotiating table...It's NOT incumbent on the WGA to run to the feet of the AMPTP and beg for a deal like they generously gave the DGA.

However, it's imperative that the DGA constructed a deal that won't make them laughingstocks with the peers of the industry. Neither the WGA or SAG will accept a mediocre deal just because the DGA signed one (if indeed they have).

Now we have to wait for the AMPTP to act. Let's wait and see what their next move is -- the ball is in their court, time to shoot or return to the bench.

Huzzah! Or maybe not. Perhaps "Let's see the deal terms!" is more appropriate. Still hoping that this will be a step forward, and that the DGA has not simply acted in its own interest. A good deal would be a godsend, a mediocre deal could be a stepping stone... but a bad deal could be disastrous.

-- Increases in wages and residual bases for each year of the contract.

-- DGA jurisdiction over programs produced for distribution on the Internet.

-- New residuals formula for paid Internet downloads (electronic sell-through) that essentially doubles the rate currently paid by employers.

-- Residual rates for ad-supported streaming and use of clips on the Internet.

Key new-media provisions appear substantial.

The agreement more than doubles the current residual on downloads of TV programming and boosts film residuals on downloads by 80%, officials said. A roughly $600 payment for ad-supported streaming kicks in after the first 17 days of streaming, followed by additional payments after 26 weeks totaling $1,200 for a year's worth of streaming.

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"Two words describe this agreement -- groundbreaking and substantial," said Gil Cates, chair of the DGA's Negotiations Committee, in announcing the terms of the agreement. "The gains in this contract for directors and their teams are extraordinary -- and there are no rollbacks of any kind."

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So, why did the AMPTP never make this offer to writers? All they offered was rollbacks and insults.

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